Ode To Virginia

November 7, 2011

I'm really learning what it means to put your heart and soul into a quilt. It's what I do with every quilt I get the honor of quilting, but this next quilt took me to a whole 'nother level. This is another one of Deb's quilts of American Primer fame. When I opened the box and saw "Ode To Virginia," I looked at Scott and said "I hope when the time comes to quilt this, I'm a really good quilter." Behold "Ode To Virginia" and a whole lotta photos.

Yes, each block has a different design. I had a lot of open areas to really tap into some creativity...that I didn't even know I had! LOL!

Are you pictured out yet?? Just one more...before quilting. I've been forgetting to that and a couple of you emailed me that you would like to see before pictures.

I really worried about quilting this one. I just stress about my quilting doing these beautiful quilts justice. I totally changed my mind like 5 times on what to do with all the borders. In the end, I went with my gut. Several hours later...naturally. All the quilting is freehand, even the feather wreaths. Let's see how do I describe what I wanted the quilting to do with this quilt??? When you look at this quilt, I wanted to draw your eyes to continually move across the quilt. I think I did good. :-)

After, Deb received her quilts she sent me the nicest message. She said her quilts were "AMAZING" and "even much better than I said they would be." She was at a retreat and said her cabin mates were "oohing and ahhing" over them. Deb's kind words made my whole weekend!!

Now the specifics...Hobbs Wool batting and So Fine threads top and bobbin. FOUR color thread changes!! This quilt was designed by Deb for her guild as a BOM last year. Each block represents part of the state of Virginia. Deb did a phenomenal job!

I could probably post all week on just this quilt. I have about 100 more photos! LOL! Actually, this is #2 of the 3 quilts I quilted for Deb. I have one more yet to reveal. :-)

55 comments:

Spectacular quilting! Freehand quilting is so much fun, once you get your vision and let yourself go with it....at least in my opinion and that's how your quilting appears to me, like you really enjoy it.You really did make this quilt sing.

You did a REALLY nice job with this. I love the loft of the wool. I'm very close to trying my first quilt out with it. Hope it doesn't drag too much on my shoulder (no longarm here, so I have to do table-top). You did an incredible job with the open spaces and borders. So, so lovely!

This quilt is just GORGEOUS! I can't stop admiring it. I love the quilt and your quilting you did on it is just breathtaking. What a beauty and Deb must be thrilled beyond words. I don't know if I would want to touch it or just hang it up behind glass somewhere :D so that it can't be touched It's a real treasure for sure!!!!

Wow your quilting really made this quilt. I could see how this quilt would be a little overwhelming trying to figure out how to quilt it. You did an amazing job. Thanks for all the pictures. I love all the different ways you quilted everything.

Hi! To all the commenters: I'm Deb, the lucky owner of this quilt. Linda did an awesome job on this quilt and her talent to highlight just the right parts of the quilt blocks and open spaces really makes this quilt sing.

Not only were my cabin mates at the retreat in awe of these quilts, quilters from the other cabins came to visit us just so they could see the quilts Linda quilted for me. (I'm also lucky enough to own the Amerinca Primer quilt she showcased yesterday.)

thanks again, Linda for quilting these for me. Be prepared - you might just get a few new customers because of these two quilts.

Magnificent quilting on a fabulous quilt - well done to both of you! I love Deb's comment, you can tell she's over the moon about the quilting you've done for her and I don't blame her, you've got such a wonderful talent!

What an amazing quilting job. The quilt is absolutely fabulous. Certainly proves that you are "a really good quilter." If I lived closer, I'd be taking all my quilts to you. Thanks for showing all those photos.

I would not know what to do, looking at that quilt. Seeing what you have done and all the beautiful quilting, it is gorgeous what you have done and the way you treated each area differently, it really bought the design into a new dimension.

A little 'farm bird' told me I had to watch for this days blog; that the showcased quilt was to die for, and that I just couldn't get enough of it. That little bird was so right. Wonderful result Linda. You put your love for quilting into it.

Your quilting is amazing! I especially like the squares with the circles in them. How did you design that pattern? Your feathers are amazing too. I am glad you showed so many pictures because there is so much beauty to see! Get some sleep and keep it up on more rest! K-

Amazing! I would say you definitely qualify as a really good quilter. It's just amazing what happens with the quilting. It adds so much to the design and look of the quilt. You have outdone yourself again! Way to go!

I came across this quilt on MQResource. I had to come and see if you had more photos of it on your blog because your quilting is absolutely beautiful! You have a real gift for quilting design and execution!

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